Alexandria Brewing Co. and Bircus Brewing Co. of Ludlow anticipate serving their craft beer creations within a year. Meanwhile, micro breweries Darkness Brewing in Bellevue and Mash Cult Brewery at Party Town in Florence are already open as neighborhood breweries.

Hofbrauhaus Newport’s opening in 2002 was first in reviving brewing in Northern Kentucky’s urban core. Ei8ht Ball Brewing in Bellevue opened in 2013 and Braxton Brewing Co. opened in Covington in March 2015. The new Geo. Wiedemann Brewing Co. has been making beers in Newport and plans remain underway to open a taproom. George Wiedemann started brewing beer in 1870. The former Wiedemann Newport brewery closed in 1983.

A new brew for Alexandria

Alexandria Brewing owner Andy Reynolds, 37, hopes to start selling grenade-shaped beer growlers inspired by his U.S. Army service by March 2017 in Alexandria. A growler is a 64-ounce portable glass container for taking beer home.

“We’ve got a location in mind,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds started home brewing as an escape from memories of defusing buried roadside bombs in Iraq aboard a U.S. Army “buffalo” mine and ambush-resistant truck. Reynolds operated the truck’s bomb-defusing arm in 2007 and 2008 during America’s “surge” of additional troops into Iraq.

Alexandria Brewing Co. owner Andy Reynolds started brewing beer after operating a roadside bomb-clearing truck while serving in the U.S. Army in 2007 and 2008 in Iraq.(Photo: Thanks to Andy Reynolds)

“I took a direct blast once,” Reynolds said. “And we were close to a few other (blasts) when some of my friends took some hits.”

“Brothers In Arms,” a Russian imperial stout, was initially brewed six years ago with seven of Reynolds’ U.S. Army buddies in Southgate, Kentucky. Brothers In Arms will be one of six rotating seasonal releases.

Alexandria Brewing Co. will serve four beers year-round including a Belgian style wit, a Belgian Trappist-style tripel, a Trappist-style quad and a Berlinerweiss. Most beers will trend as lighter craft beers, Reynolds said.

“Especially where we are going into Alexandria is not huge on the craft beer movement yet,” he said.

Alexandria Brewing Co. owner Andy Reynolds expects to serve glasses full of his beers in a brewery bar in Alexandria by March 2017.(Photo: Thanks to Andy Reynolds)

Craft soda for children will be brewed and a free pinball and video game arcade will be located inside Alexandria Brewing.

“We’re planning for a huge outdoor space,” Reynolds said. “That’s important to us to make sure our place is family friendly and dog friendly.”

Bar games, food trucks on weekends and homemade cider for people seeking lighter refreshments will be part of Darkness’ vibe.

Circus and beer in Ludlow

Bircus Brewing Co. (pronounced Beercus) at 326 Elm St., Ludlow, will blend beer and circus to serve during Circus Mojo performances. Paul Miller, owner of Bircus and Circus Mojo, hopes to start brewing his own beer this year once a $150,000 local investment goal is met.

Circus Mojo will be able to serve Bircus beers at some performances in communities, Miller said.

So far Miller has raised $75,000 since launching a $1,000 per unit Bircus equity program July 14. Bircus aims to collect $500,000 through the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission regulated offering. Miller plans to restore the former Ludlow movie theater where Circus Mojo is located into a dual brewery and performance space.

“Bircus Brewing is essentially taking over the Ludlow Theatre,” he said.